This book will help the reader get to know their unconscious mind through a series of exercises. Results will serve all curious readers well, especially psychotherapists, writers, artists, actors and others working in the world of creativity. It is important for all of us to achieve a deeper understanding of who we are, with the satisfaction that commonly comes with that. Readers will be able to set free their hidden selves to direct their lives in new and satisfying directions. Humans have a complex unconscious mind, containing vital information about who we are, who we were and where we are going. Sigmund Freud deserves the most credit for pointing systematically to channels of access. Today’s neuroscience has tested these points of access and is suggesting new ones. This book introduces five well-established methods of gaining useful access to our unconscious mind. The authors have taught the theory, science, and practice discussed in this book for over fifteen years at Stanford University to people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Having witnessed the growth of their students, they are confident about the positive contributions these exercises make to psychotherapy, creative work, and the sheer enjoyment of new horizons in our lives. Reviews and Endorsements: "What a gem of a book by Hans Steiner, who is a preeminent doctor in the best sense of the word: a teacher, mentor and physician. In this exciting book, Steiner takes the reader on a journey of self-exploration through a series of mind-expanding exercises. Bringing neuroscience and depth psychology together, Steiner helps readers discover hidden aspects of themselves, broadening their resilience and creativity. Join the host of Stanford students who, over many years, have benefitted from this remarkable course." - Irvin David Yalom, MD, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry , Stanford University "Hans Steiner is one of the great psychiatric minds of our era and his ingenious approach to conveying the complexity of our mental function delights and informs in equal measure. This is a major contribution to the most important subject in psychodynamic thought, relevant to all those interested in our psychology." - Peter Fonagy, PhD, Professor of Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Developmental Science , University College London Table of Contents: Introduction 1) Why pay attention to the unconscious? Famous artists as case studies: Rene Magritte, Artemisia Gentileschi, Georgia O’Keeffe, Egon Schiele, and Vincent van Gogh 2) Neuroscience of the mind 3) The role of psychometrics in the study of the unconscious: what are your personal preferences in resolving stress, conflict, and ambiguity? Screening your personality: the GHQ-30, FAY, WAI-84, heart rate exercise, and REM-71 4) An easy start: memes, slips of the tongue and ear, and parapraxes 5) Creativity and the unconscious: the objective correlative and the presence/hermeneutic dialectic How art preferences can reflect your unconscious mind 6) Expressive writing and the motivational unconscious: recreating and reconstructing the richness of your life 7) The royal road to the unconscious: dream analysis When do dreams tell you something about yourself? Epilogue Appendix References Index About the Authors Hans Steiner was born in Vienna, Austria, and received his doctorate from the Medical Faculty of the University of Vienna, Austria, in 1972. Currently, Dr Steiner is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Human Development at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He is a founding member and director of the Pegasus Physician Writers at Stanford (2008), and has authored and edited over 500 articles, abstracts, reviews, books, and several narrative medicine short stories. Rebecca Hall received a BA from Stanford University and now works full-time as a freelance writer and editor, specializing primarily in the psychiatric and behavioral sciences and in translating scientific information for the general public. She has co-authored two books, ten psychiatric textbook chapters, eight journal articles, and has edited several additional publications. Her non-fiction stories have been featured in two literary events and a digital magazine. She is also Dr Hans Steiner’s Teaching Assistant for his Stanford Continuing Studies Course, Your Secret Mind: Getting In Touch and Living With Your Unconscious.
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